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We are the UK's biggest mixed youth organisation. We change lives by offering 6 to 25-year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance to help others so that we make a positive impact in communities.

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The Scout Association offers everyday adventure and activity to half a million young people across the UK.

The Movement is the largest co-educational youth organisation in the world, with over 32 million members in 216 countries and territories.

In the UK Scouting is organised through The Scout Association and has a clear purpose:

To help young people achieve their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential as individuals, as responsible citizens and as Members of their local, national and international communities.

About our work

Even if we can’t solve all the problems in the world, we can help to make it a better place. Scouting makes a positive contribution to society by helping young people to develop as active members of the community:

who are self reliant

who are caring

who are responsible

who show commitment

Scouting works well when young people enjoy learning by working in partnership with adults. They do this by:

taking part in a variety of activities and new experiences

exploring the outdoors

participating in teams

taking responsibility

Our method for giving young people the opportunity to learn by doing is called the Programme. The Programme is a continuous progression of training, activities and awards that covers everything that young people do in Scouting from the age of 6 to 25.

Our commitment

In Scouting, our adults have a responsibility to make sure that the Programme is fun and exciting. We must also make sure that it is safe. The Scout Association’s policies, rules, code of behaviour, advice on Child Protection and safety policy are there to ensure our young people stay safe while they enjoy themselves and learn.

Who can be a Scout?

Scouting is open to all young people aged 6 to 25 of every faith and background. There are also plenty of opportunities for adults to become involved as Leaders, Assistants or Administrators.

Parent of a Young Person

There is no doubt that parents value what Scouting does for their children. In an independent survey of over 2,000 parents of Scouts, 9 out of 10 parents said Scouting is worthwhile (7 in 10 very worthwhile) and 9 in 10 said their children find Scouting enjoyable (6 in 10 very enjoyable).
Parents say Scouting gives their children more confidence, responsibility, a broader set of friends, a chance to pursue things they might not get to do otherwise, adventure and an extended family.

Adult Volunteers

Whether you are a Network Member, parent of a child in Scouting, or someone who is totally new to Scouting you’ve come to the right place.

One of the biggest myths about Scouting is that Groups are closing down due to a lack of young people wanting to become Members. Nothing could be further from the truth; Scouting in the UK is a growing Movement and we currently have 30,000 young people on our waiting lists simply because we do not have enough adults to help out.